Project type: audio disc

We offer a range of delivery formats for our audio transfers. Following International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives TC-04 guidelines, we deliver high resolution Broadcast WAV files, together with MP3 audio file or audio CD listening versions. We're happy to create any other digital audio files, according to your needs.

MiniDisc was initially developed as a consumer format and owing to its excellent skip protection, compared to portable audio CD players, became a popular portable format in Japan and Europe. Few commercial recordings were available on MiniDisc but it was popular as a high quality, compact portable recorder and was cheaper compared to portable DAT recorders.

Denon, HHB, Marantz, Sony and Tascam all developed more robust, portable and rack mounted MiniDisc recorders designed for professional use and we have a selection of these that have flexible digital interfacing and easier servicing, although the Magneto-Optical transports in some of these machines are their weak point and will threaten the format with obsolescence as spares become harder to find.

The MiniDisc Data format was used to make 4 and 8 track multitrack machines in the style of the audio cassette Portastudio of the 1980s but with digital audio.

• Denon DN-990R Broadcast MiniDisc Recorder
• HHB MDP-500 Portadisc MiniDisc Recorder
• Sony MDM-X4 4 track multitrack MiniDisc Recorder
• Sony MZ-NH600D HiMD Minidisc Recorder
• Tascam MD-301 MkII MiniDisc Recorder
• Tascam MD-350 MiniDisc Recorder
• Tascam MD 801R MiniDisc Recorder
• Yamaha MD4, 4 track multitrack MiniDisc Recorder
• Yamaha MD8, 8 track multitrack MiniDisc Recorder

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Physically, while MiniDiscs are relatively tough as the whole disc is enclosed in a rigid plastic case they have a flimsy, spring loaded, guard flap that is easily bent and damaged with age and careless handling. Given the small size of the disc a missing flap can render a large section of the disc vulnerable to damage and contamination.

While MiniDisc was conceived as a possible replacement for the audio cassette, it never reached anything like the numbers of audio cassettes and audio cassette machines made. As a result there are far fewer surviving MiniDisc machines, spare parts and skills required to keep them working in the future. In addition the laser pickups that are key to the longevity of these machines are only made by Sony and there is a limited supply of these and they're not a part that can be easily repaired, remanufactured or adapted.

MiniDisc (MD) was initially intended for the storage of digitised audio, with the later development of Hi-MD capable of storing both audio and data on the same disc. It was a flexible and robust format for its time - often used by reporters and sound recordists as the portable recorders were light, small and much cheaper than comparable DAT recorders launched in the late '80s.

Despite its popularity with musicians and audio enthusiasts, MiniDisc met with only limited commercial success outside Japan, particularly as recordable CDs, flash memory and HDD-based digital audio players became available. Both MD and Hi-MD recording and playback devices have been discontinued by Sony, although blank discs are still available.